ROUND MIDNIGHT

Fourth album of this Italian band in almost ten years of existence. The least that I can say, is that I was not really impressed with their first three efforts. Closer to neo-prog than symphonic IMHHO.

It was without over-enthusiasm that I started listening to it and as soon as "Round Midnight" started, I was really surprised with the quality, the power of this song. Such a good track was alien to me in their discography so far. We are very far from the dullness and inconsistence of "The Gates of Omega". A highlight.

"Wounded" on the contrary is more on the melancholic side. Nice mellotron in the first and quieter part. The song goes beautifully crescendo and features emotional vocals. The final guitar solo part is nothing but exceptional. I must be dreaming!

"Killing The Angel" is a more tortured song with lots of weird sounds in there. Not my fave to be honest. But the band is still on the good track with "Lucifero" which features a superb closing guitar part (the second of this genre on this album). But the choir start, the sad vocal part (maybe a bit longish) and the magnificent mellotron section (of course) completes this song brilliantly.

"Slow Motion Streets" is a more usual "Moongarden" track. Close to Gabriel's solo work. Ambient and tranquil. A bit monotonous probably. The band is also investigating into some heavy metal mood with the longest track available; "Learning To Live Under The Ground" almost starts as an Iron Maiden song (or maybe DT because of the keys).

Fully Gabrielesque vocals (but this is not a new feature of course). The listener is almost suffering as much as Luca Palleschi. Fortunately, the finale is more joyful; just to raise your spirit after these depressive minutes. Another great guitar solo is peppering this very good and varied number. At this time of the track, it reminds me the great "K2" song "Infinite Voyage". A highlight.

The last two songs aren't that interesting even if the closing of "Nightmare Concrete" features great mellotron again (but it is a bit too much predictable). And the short and closing "So Many In This City & So Damn Alone" just adds some more sadness.

This is by far the best album from Moongarden. Three stars. I am even looking forward to listen their upcoming work (almost five years after this release)! You can get it with a 30% discount on the Galileo records site at the bargain price of 14 Swiss francs (or 9 ?). Release date somewhere in March 08.